creepy

Just when you think we, as a geeky, nerdy culture have started making some strides in raising awareness about Cosplay not equaling Consent, this pops up its ugly head. At this year’s AnimeNextconvention some Internet popular Cosplayers got a shocking surprise when they and their friends walking around the dealer’s room found 2 Image Solutions selling full body pillows with Cosplayers likenesses on the front and back.

One side with the front picture seen above and the other side with . . . their backsides. If you haven’t read about these “Body pillows” it’s one of those Japanese things that borders the line between everyone’s personal freedom to do what you want with that creepy overtly sexual thing someone is doing with a pillow featuring the likeness of a sexy anime character. Some guy actually tried to marry one of these things.

Imagine how you would feel finding your image on one of these pillows or some other borderline sexual item. I’d hope you were as outraged as many of those Cosplayers whose image was used without their express permission.

The Superman cosplayer pictured above, Dustin Dorough, went on record on Facebook to say:

“Whoa… I DEFINITELY did not give permission for this.”

“I never signed any sort of release for any products or prints. I’ve only done photoshoots with 4 photographers and never in this suit. This pillow is a random convention candid from Dragon*Con.”

Another of those involved, Marie Grey, who Cosplays Phoenix pictured above, wrote about her experience over the weekend in her new blog, The Grey Point. It’s an interesting read worth clicking over to read the entire post. The short story is that after some discussion and back and forth between the Cosplayers, AnimeNEXT Officials, and 2 Image Solutions, the following solution was determined.

EDIT 8:02 PM:At this time, 2 Image Solutions has agreed to change their policy and will no longer be selling posters, prints, pillows, stickers and other materials of cosplayers unless the individual cosplayer requests the products themselves. Thank you, Eric, for listening to us and following our wishes! For a reference to his new policy, please go here.

Now this is just one case that ended well. The bad news in this story is that pillows were already sold with Cosplayers images and can’t be gotten back. As we all know there are shady dealers at every convention. Just check for a video or DVD booth and you’ll see what I’m talking about. Some art print dealers and “artists” have also been discovered selling pirated copies of comic book artists work to which they have secured no legal rights to.

Vigilance is needed by all of us to stamp out this before it becomes a trend. My main concern is that those selling these images should have the Cosplayers permission or signed rights. If you as the Cosplayer are OK with it then fine, but no one should use your image in such a manner without your consent.

OK, so here’s what we know: A credible rumor has been circulating that Zack Snyder’s Man Of Steel will feature a cameo by an actor from a previous Superman film adaptation. Now, while one would assume this to be a quick walk-on of anyone from Margot Kidder to Mark McClure to Brandon Routh, the rumor apparently suggested that fans need to think “outside the box”….

Apparently, the box they decided to think outside of is a coffin.

The theory in question seems to have started on Spanish Supes fan site: Superman Javi Olivares. Here’s the photo that began the bizarre musings:

This is a still from the filming of Man Of Steel in Chicago….the arrow points to an individual some seem to believe could be this secret cameo–let’s take a closer look:

The inset image is the figure the red arrow pointed to–the larger picture is, of course, the late Christopher Reeve as Clark Kent….

Ghoulish scuttlebutt claims that Reeve has been digitally inserted into the above scene. Based solely on the presence of an indistinct figure wearing a grey suit that bears some resemblence to Reeve’s Clark Kent costume.

A number of fans seem to take this as an homage to the man who brought Superman to life for an entire generation….I’m afraid I’m going to have to dissent: It’s morbid and exploitive–and, if it’s true, strikes me as little more than a tasteless publicity stunt.

But my objections are likely moot: The chances that this theory is accurate seem slim to none. Granted, I’m no filmmaker–but if this is a CGI Christopher Reeve, why would he be in what looks to be a Principal Photography still? Wouldn’t he be added in Second Unit or Post Production? Again, I’m a layman when it comes to this subject–I could be totally off base.

In any case, I’m calling this one as pure fanboy wish-fulfillment….and creepy fanboy wish fulfillment at that.

Thomas Jane has played the Frank Castle, Mickey Mantle, a member of the Vegan Police, Jonah Hex, a soldier, a gigolo and more, but the thing that is most impressive about the every-man actor is his mind for comics.

More than a fan of the medium, I spoke at length with Jane about pre-code comics, Bruce Jones, and adapting the cult horror film (which and short story Dark Country (which Jane directed) to a wordless graphic novel by Thomas Ott. After that, we spoke about the future of comic book inspired films and I asked him if he’s done with The Punisher. (more…)

The Interwebz is a great place for all sorts of crazy things. Often, you’ll find things like purple alien hentai and fucked up shit like that. We see awesome nerdy art pieces every day, but we’re fuckin’ lazy bastards… so here is your weekly fix to fuel your nerdtastic jizzfests!

Neil Cameron‘s ABCs of Awesomeness are just that: awesome. Over the course of 26 days, he did one a day based on his followers’ suggestions. Check out the full collection in full size at the website!

The BBC put out two new (very) short videos Friday morning, one of the official Doctor Who site and one on their YouTube, that tell us nothing about the plot or the characters (at least, not on the surface), but do serve to royally creep us out.

Both videos are titled simply “…are real.” (possibly from a line in the prequel webisode: “The monsters are real.”) and feature what looks like black and white surveillance camera footage on two different city streets. Video 1 has a creepy approaching light going for it, but Video 2 has ominous shadows. They’re both less than ten seconds long, and feature a lot of crackly interference, so it’s hard to tell if there’s any secret to be revealed. Mostly you just get left with an immensely creepy feeling, and a very strong desire for Saturday night to get here really damn fast.

Here’s video 1:

I expect a full second-by-second breakdown from some of you AV nerds by the end of the day.

Nerd culture has come a long way in the last 20 years. Out of our parents basements and into the main stream of movies, music, and fashion. Hating on a nerd just because they like Scifi, computers, or comic books has seen a rapid decline, but we all know that there are still some nerds out there that deserve the ill feelings they generate through their own behavior.

You know who I’m talking about. You avoid them at the book store, you keep your head down while passing their desk at work. You know that to make eye contact is to invite that nerd to interact with you in that manner that just grinds your gears.

Click through the jump and find out what ten nerd types really grind our Nerdbastard gears

Ok, so as tiny nerdlings we all watched cartoons and going back and watching them over is definitely satisfying, BUT what if our favorite childhood shows had grown and matured with us. Let’s take a look at some of the possibilities these innocent childhood shows could have if we added a little mature content…

Alice’s Adventures In Wonderland illustrated by prolific artist and star of the low-brow art world Camille Rose Garciawill be available in print on February 2nd. Have a look at this preview of the work with narration by the artist herself. Check out the behind-the-scenes aspects of what goes into Garcia’s process and peer into the collection of weird and nerdy toys and objects she uses for inspiration. Pretty strange stuff. I can’t wait to buy a copy of this classic story with the badass artwork of Camille Rose Garcia.

You can see more of Camille’s work at her website HERE. If you’re not already a fan you will be. Especially if you’re a fan of Mark Ryden, Elizabeth McGrath, Robert Williams, Gary Panter or any of the LA Juxtapoz-style artists. She’s the stuff we nerds dream of. I can’t wait till her work comes alive on the big screen one of these days. Mark my words, it will happen.

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